More people die of heart attacks on Monday morning at 9h00 than at any other time, according to global leader in the field of mind/body medicine, Dr. Deepak Chopra, one of the senior scientists at Gallup, an organisation that has been studying human nature and behaviour for more than 75 years. This piece of information came from a study on well-being conducted in over 150 countries.

The day before I had listened to this vlog from Chopra, I had been at a luncheon, seated next to someone whose slumped posture matched her groaning despair over having to face the next day which, of course, was Monday. She went on about how she hated her job, the people she worked with and the general attitude that prevailed there. When I asked her why she didn’t change her job, her despair deepened as she confessed that she didn’t know what she really wanted to do and she was terrified of being without an income. It would appear that the only reason she goes to work is so that she can pay the monthly bills, and not much more than that.

Unfortunately this tale of woe is not that uncommon. Hating one’s work impacts on one’s general well-being. The usual reasons people give for sticking to a job they hate or find deadly boring, stem from fear – fear that by changing, they won’t earn enough money, won’t carry the same status ranking, fear that they won’t be good enough or can’t do anything else, fear of the unknown. Or, as my fellow luncheon guest, they don’t know what they would like to do.

If one of these fears resonates with you, then try removing the fearful thought for a while and ask yourself what you would do then. For example, if financial and status considerations were no longer an issue, what would you do? Imagine yourself in this new venture and take note of how you feel. While you are immersed in this good feeling, question the prohibitions that you had attached to this pursuit. Are they really true? Would you honestly be criticised or admired for honouring your true self? Can you truly know that you would not make enough money? How far would the motivation from your true passion carry you?

This example sketches a broad outline for changing your perception and, in turn, your work, however, all the above prohibitive premises demand deeper questioning. And finding out what does interest you and what you would like to do is also possible.

We are not born to spend our lives in work that we despise, but rather to offer our individual potential towards the good of humanity. If you feel like your work couldn’t get worse, then what have you got to lose from changing? It may feel scary to break out of the comfort zone, but the liberation you gain from finding your true path is not only worth it, it’s your right.